Ji Xiaoxiao took the wet handkerchief from the maid, wiped her hands, and put it back.
"Your Highness, what do you think of me?" Ji Xiaoxiao retorted. "Do you think I am a wicked and vicious woman, an unkind mother, or a lowly and despicable merchant's daughter who will stop at nothing to achieve success and victory?"
Jian Gongxin didn't speak, but gave a deep hum.
“If I were truly that kind of woman, Jian Gongxin, do you think I would hand over Jin Jin Fang to you? Rather than sacrificing Jin Jin Fang to bring you trouble, I'd rather keep it to make money. It's better not to have a son at all; with money in hand, at least I won't have to worry about food and drink.” Ji Xiaoxiao’s expression was calm and composed, and she even had the leisure to tuck her hair behind her ear.
A life for a life, and there's still a loss. Jian Gongxin is a good-for-nothing; there's no need for him to be involved with Jin Jin Fang. Ji Xiaoxiao embezzled most of Jin Jin Fang's funds, but Jin Jin Fang wasn't crippled. As long as Jian Gongxin has the ability, standing on the shoulders of giants, making a fortune is not a dream.
Jian Gongxin knew the significance of Jin Jin Fang to Zeng Feizi, and he did not doubt the truth of what Ji Xiaoxiao had said. His disturbance at Wutong Garden was a roundabout way of achieving his goal; all he wanted was for "Zeng Feizi" to step in and resolve the debt.
No matter how eloquently you describe it, the facts are the facts.
Jian Gongxin insisted that Ji Xiaoxiao was definitely the culprit behind Jinjinfang's decline.
Ji Xiaoxiao raised her head high, staring intently at Jian Gongxin, whose eyes were darting around.
“It’s not me. Jin Jin Fang is in debt because of your incompetence. You can’t blame anyone else.” Ji Xiaoxiao shook her head and said weakly, “I don’t want to see you for the time being. Get out of my Wutong Garden.”
"I'll go then." Jian Gongxin flicked his sleeves, without any fuss, and left immediately.
Ji Xiaoxiao rubbed her forehead and slowly walked into the house.
Even with the door closed, the bright sunlight streaming through the windowpanes still made the room dim and gloomy.
"Madam." There were only a few old nannies who had served the original owner all her life in the room. Among them, Granny Zhang was quite worried about Ji Xiaoxiao and frowned as she spoke.
"Calling him a good-for-nothing is giving him far too much credit."
Jin Jin Fang was a perfectly good business, with a constant stream of customers and a great reputation. But in just three months, it became unprofitable. Jian Gongxin is really good at squandering money!
Granny Zhang and the others all sighed in unison, "Who can argue with that!"
...
Jian Gongxin returned to his courtyard, and thought about it again, feeling annoyed once more.
"Damn it, that bitch actually dared to tell me to get lost."
Jian Gongxin irritably tugged at his collar, instantly revealing a large expanse of his fair chest.
"Someone come here."
He summoned servants to serve him fine wine and food, and with a beautiful woman in his arms, Jian Gongxin's anger dissipated. He was immediately captivated by the wine and women, forgetting all else and becoming completely absorbed in the pleasure.
"Hmph, I know Zeng Feizi well. Although she is gentle on the outside but tough on the inside, she is always stubborn but soft-hearted towards me. I don't need to visit her again. She will naturally take the initiative to solve the current difficulties of Jin Jin Fang."
After waiting for two days without seeing Ji Xiaoxiao, Jian Gongxin couldn't sit still any longer.
"Go to Wutong Garden and see what Zeng Feizi is doing," Jian Gongxin instructed his page who had been with him for ten years.
"Yes," the page replied.
The pageboy took off running and returned a while later, drenched in sweat.
"Your Highness, the Lady is enjoying the cool shade under the trees in the Wutong Garden. She is not going anywhere and is not doing anything."
"What?"
Jian Gongxin suddenly stood up and knocked over the teacup on the table.
“This poisonous woman.” Jian Gongxin’s face gradually contorted.
We can't delay any longer. If those people don't get their money, the rumors that the heir of the Marquis of Wei's mansion is owing money and not paying it back will spread like wildfire. How will he face anyone in the capital then?
Jian Gongxin took a few steps forward and then suddenly stopped.
"If I were to ask Zeng Feizi for help, wouldn't I lose face?"
Left is blocked, right is impossible; Jian Gongxin is stuck, unable to advance or retreat.
Frustrated, Jian Gongxin paced around in circles for a while before finally making up his mind to ask Jian Guangyang for help.
Arriving quickly at Jian Guangyang's Mingxuan Garden, Jian Gongxin stood respectfully outside the gate, waiting for the servants to announce Jian Guangyang's arrival.
"Your Highness, please."
Jian Gongxin entered Mingxuan Garden and went straight to the study.
"Father."
"Come in."
Jian Gongxin walked in and said directly, "Father, please help your son, Mother she..."
"What did she do now?" Jian Guangyang's forehead was swollen and stinging, so he put down his brush in agitation.
Jian Gongxin bowed and told Jian Guangyang the whole "truth".
"You poisonous woman!" Jian Guangyang shouted angrily, walking towards the door. "Come with me."
Seeing Jian Guangyang's sudden outburst of anger, Jian Gongxin's heart pounded. He lowered his head, remained silent, and followed closely behind Jian Guangyang.
---Aside---
Lunar New Year's Eve is almost here, my dears, can't wait for the first reward?
This book is being published here for the first time; please do not reproduce it!
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